5 Amazing Benefits Of Green Tea That You Didn’t Know About

We all know green tea is good for us, but here’s why it’s essential to include in your diet!

Green tea is packed with antioxidants that help boost your immune system and fight free-radical damage (which helps prevent cancer). But here’s what you didn’t know:

1. It makes you look younger

Because green tea helps fight inflammation and slows the ageing of cells (thanks antioxidants!), it can lessen wrinkle development and make your skin appear brighter and younger. Apply topically too! It may help with sun damage: dip a cotton ball into the remaining green tea in your cup and apply it to your skin.

2. It makes you smarter

According to a study conducted at the University of Basel in Switzerland, green tea extract may improve communication between parts of our brain. When study participants consumed green tea extract (in a protein drink) they performed better on short term memory tests than participants who did not drink the beverage. SA separate study carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells.

3. It helps you shed kilos

Studies have shown that the flavonoids and in green tea can help elevate metabolic rate and increase fat oxidation. One study showed that those who drank green tea lost an average of 1.5kg during a 3-month period, while sticking to their regular diet.

4. It gives you a healthy heart

A recent study from Johns Hopkins Hospital that consisted of 6000 participants revealed some cool heart-healthy results! Study reporter Kathleen Doheny said that people who drank one cup of tea a day had about one-third less risk of a major heart disease during the study period than people who didn’t drink tea. Also, “Tea drinkers – who drank from one to three cups daily – also showed a decline in the calcium buildup in their arteries.” Just remember that green tea has caffeine, so keep it below 5 cups a day!

5. It’ll give you a brighter smile

Some studies have shown that catechin (the antioxidant found in green tea) can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental condition. Which could improve breathe as well. Pucker up after a cup!

In order the reap all these benefits, don’t add boiling water to tour tea! Once you’ve boiled the kettle, allow the water to cool slightly first then pour it over the tea and steep for a couple minutes before drinking.

LEARN TO COOK WITH GREEN TEA!

Need some new healthy recipes in your life? Want to learn more about green tea and its versatility? Join us for our Women’s Health Supper Clubs in partnership with Listerine Green Tea in Joburg on 20 November and in Cape Town on 29 November 2017. Get your tickets here.